A process of preparing a diasteromeric mixture of 2S-2-((4R)-2-oxo-4-n-propyl-l-pyrrolidinyl)butanamide of the formula: wherein R1 is ethyl; R3 is hydrogen; R4 is n-propyl; X is -CONH2 comprising the reaction of a furan derivative of formula(II) of (III)) wherein R2 and R2' are the same or different and each is C1-10 alkyl or the same substituted by aryl, with a compound of formula (IV)and with H2 in the presence of catalyst.